Be at the forefront in anti-graft efforts, EACC tells professional bodies
11:10:22: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has urged professional bodies to play a leading role in the fight against corruption noting that most corruption scandals in the country involve professionals. Speaking in Mombasa during the Annual Governance and Ethics Conference that ended on Friday, 14th October 2022, EACC Vice Chairperson Dr. Monica Muiru said that by virtue of their duties, professionals have a crucial role in proactively preventing the occurrence of corruption. The forum, which brought together Accountants from across the country, was organized by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) at Sarova Whitesands Hotel. The EACC Vice Chairperson delivered a keynote address on Tuesday, 11th October 2022. “Over the years, we have observed that majority of the corruption investigations undertaken by EACC involve professionals such as accountants, auditors, bankers, lawyers, supply chain practitioners, engineers and human resource practitioners,” the Vice Chairperson said. ICPAK is the professional body established to register, regulate and develop the accountancy profession in Kenya and has a membership of over 23,000 professional accountants working in both public and private sectors. Professionals, Dr. Muiru said, remain a key pillar in the quest for an ethical Kenyan society which is good for businesses to thrive. The EACC Vice Chairperson reminded the forum that corruption remains a major obstacle to good governance in Kenya as it affects the ease of doing business, deprives the economy of much-needed revenue, facilitates the black market economy and may permit entry of substandard goods not fit for human consumption. “In the education system, academic fraud and forgery of academic papers have resulted in deserving students missing out on opportunities in the job market. Services rendered by such employees are substandard because they are ill-equipped with the right skills, knowledge and attitudes required for the job,” she added. According to the World Bank rating of 2020, Kenya is ranked 56 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business, up from 61 among 190 countries in 2019. Dr. Muiru informed the forum that despite the impressive milestones realized by EACC in asset recovery and high-profile investigations, the challenge of corruption remains the greatest threat to the country’s development agenda hence the need for all actors, including professionals, to participate in the efforts towards taming it. She challenged ICPAK and other professional bodies to develop corruption prevention and mitigation strategies to enhance ethical practices among their members. “One way of doing this is by infusing fraud and corruption reporting requirements into codes of ethics and conduct for professionals,” she said.
EACC Chairperson calls on state officers to embrace servant leadership
07.10.2022: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairperson, His Grace Archbishop (Rtd) Eliud Wabukala has urged all state officers to offer servant leadership in their respective dockets. This, he said, is essential in addressing the country’s contemporary governance challenges, including corruption. Addressing newly elected Members of the County Assembly of Bungoma during their induction in Nakuru last week, the EACC Chairperson said, “people elected you to lead and bring the much-needed change and as such, you should advocate for social reforms, economic empowerment and social welfare of your people.” Wabukala urged the MCAs not to compromise on the core values of honesty and integrity in their quest to transform the lives of thousands of citizens who lined up for hours to vote them into office. “Kenya is facing issues of negative ethnicity. To overcome these challenges, there is a compelling need for a value-based approach to leadership at all levels” the Chairperson said. His Grace also called upon all leaders to lead by example by acting as role models for the younger generations. Quoting Nelson Mandela, the Chairperson said, “you can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself. Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty and humility.” Wabukala also noted that County Assemblies are critical pillars in the governance of the country and that corruption prevention should be part of their daily business. For devolution to succeed, Wabukala said, County Assemblies must aggressively provide oversight over the management of public funds and resources. “If County Assemblies across the country discharged their oversight roles effectively, ghost workers, embezzlement of public funds and other integrity challenges witnessed in our counties would not be there,” he added. The EACC Chairperson was accompanied by Regional Managers for the Commission’s Regional Offices in Nakuru and Bungoma, Ignatius Wekesa and Christine Natome respectively. The MCAs were urged to report all suspected cases of corruption to the EACC Regional office in Bungoma. In his remarks, Bungoma County Assembly Speaker Emmanuel urged EACC to continue empowering County Governments to establish strong accountability systems that would enhance detection and prevention of corruption. “We will work together with EACC to ensure that Bungoma County Assembly becomes a shining example to the rest of the counties that devolution indeed works and that corruption can be eradicated,” the Speaker pledged.
EACC moves to enjoin surveyors in preventing land related graft
13.10.22: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption (EACC), held a capacity-building program for over 200 professional surveyors under the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK). EACC Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mr. Abdi Mohamud officially opened the one-day virtual training. Mr. Mohamud appreciated ISK for partnering with EACC in its bid to enlist surveyors in the efforts to tame the perennial challenge of corruption in the land sector. Professional bodies, he said, are vital pillars in the fight against corruption since it is their members who facilitate relevant transactions at different stages. The objective of the program was to build the capacity of the ISK professionals on ethics and integrity in a bid to stamp out corruption in the land management profession. The program also aimed at enlisting the surveyors in the fight against corruption noting the critical role that they discharge in land transactions. Speaking at the forum, ISK President Abraham Samoei emphasised the need for continuous engagement and collaboration between EACC and professional bodies such as ISK to promote integrity in the execution of professional duties. The Surveyors were taken through various thematic areas including corrupt practices in the land management profession and mitigation measures, the role of surveyors in the fight against corruption, and tools and strategies for preventing corruption in the land sector.
Congratulations H.E. William Ruto
EACC Unveils 8th Edition of Its Newsletter- Spear of Integrity
04:08:2022: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)has launched the 8th Edition of its Newsletter- Spear of Integrity for the period January- July 2022. This Edition contains key information about EACC and expert opinions on contemporary issues of concern to the public, including the intrigues of integrity in the August 9 elections and proposals on way forward. You may also click here to download the newsletter. The Commission invites all Kenyans and stakeholders in the fight against corruption to read the Newsletter and provide any feedback.
EACC Holds Consultative Forum With Religious Leaders
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) held a joint consultative forum with religious leaders across the country on how best to sensitize Kenyans on electing leaders of integrity in next month’s General Election. The forum, held at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies, also heard religious leaders vowing to collaborate with the Commission in the war against corruption and promotion of ethical standards. “We are committed and support the EACC and other agencies charged with the responsibility of banishing the demons of corruption from our country and call upon Kenyans to shun, shame and shake the walls of the corrupt. Living a life of integrity is a choice that each one of us has to make,” said Father Joseph Mutie, the chairperson of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya. Archbishop Mark Kariuki, the general overseer of the Deliverance Church of Kenya, said it was unfair to claim the Church is hypocritical when it outwardly condemns politicians labeled as corrupt but accepts money from them.” Instead, people should understand that the Church is a place of refuge for all people, sinners included, as such, it is unchristian to close the doors on anyone who goes to worship God,” he said. Sheikh Abdullahi Abdi said he was shocked by how corruption had permeated the society and had now moved from the top-tier leadership to the common citizens. He admitted that the clergy at some point went silent on the vice. “As the clergy, we cannot absolve ourselves. When this cancer of corruption metastasized, we were silent; let us change the style of our war against corruption,” he said. In a joint statement read by Father Joseph Mutie, the religious leaders urged Kenyans to vote out candidates who have corruption tags as a means of securing good governance after the August 9 elections. The religious leaders also vowed to expose corruption while at the same time inspiring citizens to embrace honest living. The forum was held on 27th June 2022. To read the Joint Communique, Click Here
Strategic Partnerships Key in Graft War, EACC Vice Chair tells Regional Summit
11:06:22: EACC Vice Chairperson, Dr Monica Muriu attended the 8th International Conference of the African Forum of General State Inspectorate and Assimilated Institutions (FIGE) held in Djibouti from 7th – 9th June, 2022. The Conference, which was under the theme “Governance and Public Performance” was officially opened by the President of the Republic of Djibouti, His Excellency Ismail Omar Guelleh. The event was aimed at strengthening the mandates of oversight and audit institutions in order to improve the performance of public organizations in the region. The Conference brought together representatives from seven member countries of the FIGE Steering Committee namely Mauritania, Congo, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Angola, Madagascar and Djibouti), officials from the main partner of FIGE, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) of the European Commission, representatives of the University of Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne, delegates from East African Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (EAAACA), as well as international experts. Making her opening remarks on 8th June, 2022, the EACC Vice Chairperson Dr Muiru appreciated the theme of the conference noting that it was in tandem with the mandate of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). EACC is responsible for combating and preventing corruption, economic crimes and unethical conduct in Kenya. She informed the forum that EACC is keen on partnering with countries and other institutions to strengthen the war on graft. “I wish to reiterate the commitment of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission in its strategic linkages, cooperation and collaboration with FIGE in enhancing the fight against corruption and economic crimes within the region and beyond,” Dr Muiru said. She highlighted some of the successes realized by EACC as a result of partnerships among them the implementation of The Framework for the Return of Assets from Corruption and Crime in Kenya (FRACCK) that facilitated repatriation of approximately USD400,000 from UK, and utilized to purchase 11 ambulances to support the Health Sector. The Vice Chairperson urged the countries represented in the forum to enhance peer-to-peer learning as a strategy for sharing knowledge and experience. In addition to serving as the Vice Chairperson of EACC, Dr Muiru is the Chairperson of the Commission Committee on Support Services.
EACC Wants Waititu’s Kshs. 1.94 Billion Unexplained Wealth Forfeited to the State
27:05:22: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has filed a suit in the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division of the High Court seeking to recover almost Kshs. 2 Billion in unexplained assets from former Kiambu County boss Ferdinard Ndungú Waititu Baba Yao. The former Governor is suspected to have corruptly acquired the amount when he held state office as a Member of Parliament for Kabete Constituency between the years 2015 – 2017 and subsequently as a Governor of the County Government of Kiambu between the years 2017–2020. During that period, Mr. Ferdinard Waititu, his kin and companies associated with them amassed assets amounting to Kshs. 1,937,709,376. Commenting on the matter, EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak noted that the case against Waititu is part of the anti-graft watchdog’s strategy to recover public funds and assets from a number of sitting and former Governors who are suspected to have accumulated unexplained wealth during their tenure of office. “EACC is alarmed by the gross magnitude of looting of public resources revealed by the investigations. The Commission has profiled most of the County Governors and notes that majority of them have treated their tenure in office as an opportunity for self-enrichment. We are preparing to file more suits seeking forfeiture of the corruptly acquired wealth to the state” the EACC CEO said. Mr. Mbarak said that EACC has intensified vigilance during this transition period and warned that any state officer embezzling public resources will be subjected to painful sanctions. The EACC investigations culminating into the recovery suit against Waititu established that the former Governor has amassed wealth that is not commensurate to his known and legitimate sources of income, during the period he served as a State Officer. EACC believes that Waititu abused his position of public trust for private gain by corruptly acquiring public funds through fictitious and/or fraudulent procurement contracts in the County Government of Kiambu. The contractors, upon payment transferred proceeds of the fraudulent procurement contracts to the Mr. Waititu, his wife (Susan Wangari) and their companies as kick-backs. The Governor further directly traded with the County Government through companies registered in the names of his wife, and their daughter. The former Governor was impeached and removed from office for gross misconduct, abuse of office and gross violation of the Constitution before completing his tenure of office.
Kenya’s Media Lauded in Regional Summit for Notable Anti-Graft Efforts
05:05:2022: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has urged anti-corruption agencies in Commonwealth Africa to explore strategic partnerships and collaborations with media in their respective countries as key measure in fighting corruption. Speaking at the 12th Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa that is taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, from 3rd –7th May 2022, EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak said that the media in Kenya has made a notable contribution in the quest for public accountability and good governance. He spoke on Thursday, 5th May, 2022 during the EACC experience sharing session on the role played by media in Kenya to advance the fight against corruption. “Kenya’s media has remained a leading actor in the fight against corruption and promotion of good governance. Timely sharing of information from investigative journalism has enabled the Commission avert loss of public funds through disruption of corruption schemes and networks,” Mr. Mbarak said. Mr. Mbarak advocated for media led anti-corruption campaigns in Africa and emphasized the need for Governments to safeguard press freedom, and provide a conducive environment for the media to operate freely. “To enable the media effectively participate in the fight, anti-corruption agencies should consider relevant capacity building programs for Editors, Investigative Journalists and Court Reporters,” the CEO added. EACC Chairperson Eliud Wabukala, who is also attending the meeting, noted that the media has the potential to nurture ethical practices and protect public interest. “The media in Kenya has been very active in providing oversight over the management of public affairs. This has made citizens regard it as a highly trusted source of information,“ said the EACC Chairperson. Heads of anti-corruption agencies from the Commonwealth’s 19 African member states are gathered in Kigali for their annual anti-corruption conference under the theme: “Combating Corruption for Good Governance and Sustainable Development in Africa.” The Conference is aimed at sharing knowledge, experience and best practice on mitigating the challenge of corruption in Africa. The Conference was opened on 3rd May, 2022 the same day the media fraternity was celebrating the World Press Freedom Day. As part of the celebrations, the Media Council of Kenya has organized the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards forum where Journalists who have excelled in various fields in the industry will be feted.
29.04.2022: EACC Arrests Nairobi City County Operations Boss
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested Moses Munyi Joseph, the Superintendent in charge of operations at the Nairobi City County Investigations Department for soliciting a bribe of Ksh.500, 000. The arrest arose from investigations into a complaint received on April 27, 2022, that the suspect demanded a bribe of Ksh.500, 000 in order to offer security and protection to the complainant concerning a parcel of land that was in dispute. Upon receiving a report from the complainant, EACC detectives conducted an operation that led to the arrest of the suspect while receiving part of the bribe amounting to Ksh130, 000. It is expected that subject to concurrence of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the suspect will be charged in court under the Bribery Act, 2016. Commenting on the arrest, EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak called upon all public officers to uphold integrity as they deliver services to citizens. Noting that a public office is a position of public trust that should not be abused, the EACC CEO said, “no state or public officer should solicit, demand or expect an inducement in order to discharge public duties.” He added that citizens should endeavour to always operate within the dictates of the law and not offer bribes while seeking services. Mr. Mbarak urged citizens to report corruption whenever they encounter it to enable appropriate interventions by the Commission. “The national surveys on corruption and ethics undertaken by the Commission so far indicate that over 67% of Kenyans who encounter incidences of corruption do absolutely nothing about it. This is a major drawback in the fight against corruption. Citizens have a duty to hold public officials to account and one way of doing so is exposing those who engage in corruption,” the CEO said.